Mental Health Therapist (OCS SPA 5)

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

St. Joseph Center (SJC) is a nonprofit organization and is the leading housing and supportive services provider on the Westside of Los Angeles.  For nearly five decades, our mission has been to end homelessness and poverty in Los Angeles.  We work at the intersection of housing, economic mobility and social justice. We provide comprehensive housing services, outreach, food assistance, mental health support, and workforce development to over 15,000 low-income individuals, youth, and families each year.

We understand that homelessness, housing insecurity and poverty in Los Angeles are unique, largely shaped by the critical housing shortage.  That’s why we take a holistic approach to supporting Angelenos in need, prioritizing Housing First while recognizing that housing alone is not enough to support individuals and families on their path to build a sustainable and productive future.

We are looking for people who, like us, believe in the inherent worth of every individual.  And understand that homelessness and poverty are often a result of circumstances, not a reflection of character. We are on a bold mission to end poverty and homelessness in our generation and are deeply committed to finding long-term solutions to shape a future for Los Angeles that works for all.

At St. Joseph Center we are committed to creating a culture where innovation flourishes, diversity strengthens us, and our strong SJC community contributes to our shared mission.

Job Summary

The Mental Health Therapist ensures the delivery of quality care in accordance to the rules and regulations established by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health for contracted agencies as well as adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center. The position provides therapy and case management services to adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders and works within a multi-disciplinary team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Utilize a harm reduction and housing first model when working with clients to have a “No wrong door” approach to services.
• Develop and maintain strong ties to the community and other service providers.
• Provide mental health assessments, interventions, and services to individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Assist individuals, in their respective homes or at other local community-based sites assigned to caseload in the development of coordination and service plans.
• Provide therapeutic services around increasing independence and engagement in the community.
• Provide case management support when needed.

Essential Duties:

• Identify areas of risk and take appropriate measures to minimize risk by providing stabilizing services.
• Build trust and rapport with individuals. Assess individuals and complete assessments, re-assessments, and client treatment plans that are required by agency and funders.
• Implement client treatment plans, emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing mental health issues, medication management, and any other risk factors and provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goals.
• Provide complete documentation, meeting medical necessity, of all services and plans provided to clients.
• Document all services within 24-48 hours and meet the expected weekly billing productivity.
• Manage clients’ electronic health records and keep up to date.
• Coordinate services and collaborate with treatment team and other service providers involved in clients’ care.
• Perform general outreach services, education in the community and other duties within one’s scope of practice when assigned.
• Link clients to psychiatry services and other supportive services internally or externally.
• Provide skill building, rehabilitation, and therapy services to individuals.
• Utilize a harm reduction model when working with clients with substance use issues.
• Utilize evidence-based practices and best practice models to meet each client’s individual needs.
• Utilize a trauma informed lens when working with clients.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and other community meetings.
• Participate in individual clinical supervision, group supervision, and administrative supervision.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter. Must have the ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff. Must have excellent organizational skills and the capability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to conduct home and field visits.
• A bilingual background is a plus.
• The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings

Experience:

• Experience providing services to highly vulnerable populations preferred.
• Demonstrate experience with completing mental health assessments and client treatment plans using the diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5.

Education:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, or a related field.

Direct Reports:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in MS  Office  Suite  (Word, Excel,  PowerPoint,  Outlook)  and  widely  supported  internet browsers.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Required: Current CA BBS registration or CA LMFT or LCSW licensure or documentation stating the request for BBS registration that adheres to the “90 Day Rule.”
• Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Valid automobile liability insurance.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel to meet with clients.
• Travel to meetings at multiple St. Joseph Center sites and to community partner locations.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders; use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls. The employee may be required on occasion to lift and or carry up to 20 lbs.

 Status: Full time/Exempt

Salary: DOE

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

 https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf